Dog Whining

Dog whining is a frequently met behavior that many dog owners would like to get rid of. There are a few methods that can be employed to help and stop dog whining. If you are facing this problem, here’s what you can do about it.

The secret for a successful dog training that deals with the cessation of dog whining is to start as early as possible. Also, there are a few important aspects that you have to bear in mind. You must be fully aware of the motives your dog has to use this method of expression. Dog whining as well as dog barking are part of the dog’s means to tell you something. Whining can be a way to tell you that your dog is in pain or sick. In case you have a dog that has been properly trained and has learned not to whine but suddenly starts whining, this is an obvious symptom of a certain pain or sickness. Go to your vet and see what the problem is and you will get rid of the whining.

Other reasons for dog whining are separation, fear, disappointment, being left alone for too long. If your pet is whining when it is left alone, there’s a simple exercise you can do to hinder that behavior in the future. This exercise is successful with almost 100% of the cases if it is done when the dog is a pup. The exercise is like this: have fun for a few minutes with your dog and then suddenly leave the room or go somewhere your dog cannot visualize you. This will have as an effect the whining. You as the master must not return immediately as you hear the whining. This won’t teach your pet to stop dog whining. It will only encourage this behavior. Even if it is difficult for you to hear your dog whining, leave it like this for a few minutes. It will stop after a while.

However, there are dogs that don’t stop whining. For these, the method should include some verbal commands such as a firm NO, when the whining appears. When you see it stopped, you can return. Repeat this game for a few times, until your puppy understands the fact that every time you go away, you come back, so it will not whine anymore. The dog needs to know that you don’t go away for good, and this exercise is perfect. This will work when you will be gone even for longer periods of time, such as going to work or even on holiday.

All in all, dog whining is an issue that can be dealt with. The best is to start the training when your pet is a puppy. In case you have a grown up dog that whines, you can talk to a dog trainer and get your dog to do some obedience training classes. This will help a lot and dog whining will be a long forgotten memory.

Demosthenes Damon is an article writer and dog lover. To learn more about his the reviews of dog training products please visit http://www.dogbookdoubter.com/ or click Dog Training

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Skin Problems in Dogs and Cats

The skin, your pet’s largest organ, acts as a barrier against harmful invasions from the environment. As an organ of elimination, symptoms of disease often show up in the skin and the body rids itself of toxins

Skin problems are probably the most common ailments seen in dogs. Usually they are not a disease in themselves, but a symptom of another underlying problem.

Allergies are the most common reason one sees problems with the skin or coats of their dogs and cats. Foods, pollens, dust or medications may cause signs of allergy. Problems can also show up due to dietary deficiency or poor diet in general. Symptoms include such as itching, redness, and poor coat quality.

If no other reason for the problem can be found, it is time to look for food allergies. Simply by changing the dog or cats diet to a higher quality food will often make a difference. Often simply adding raw meat to the diet is enough to see an improvement.

If the problem persists, or the pet is already on a healthy diet, then you must look at the specific ingredients in the food. Beef, chicken, corn and soy are the most common allergens, but cats and dogs, like people, can be allergic to anything. Try eliminating the above four things first, if that doesn’t work a more drastic “elimination diet” may be necessary. This usually takes at least 6-8 weeks to get a good reading.

If no food allergy can be identified, or if eliminating an offending food has not solved the problem, then you must look to the environment - inside as well as outside. Once an allergic reaction has been allowed to continue for some time, the immune system is taxed and the body may become sensitive to other irritants.

Play detective! Ask yourself if anything has changed in the house recently; new carpeting, new cabinetry, fresh paint? These things can all give off chemicals which may cause illness. Are the symptoms seasonal? Pollens are a common allergen, and difficult to avoid, especially for a dog. Did the symptoms start suddenly? What happened just before they appeared - vaccinations? Other illness? Emotional upset? Finding and eliminating the cause can be a long and difficult process.

Essential Fatty Acids, also known as Omega-3 and Omega-6 are important nutrients for the skin and coat of dogs and cats. You might also consider certain herbs, such as Milk Thistle or Dandelion, which support the liver and help the body detoxify. There are many natural topical products that can be used to calm the symptoms.

Bathing is not always the answer. If the dog’s coat is dry, bathing may just make matters worse. If you must bathe, use a gentle shampoo. For dogs or cats with itchy skin, look for oatmeal as one of the ingredients in a pet shampoo.

Another common cause of itching and redness for dogs and cats is flea bite dermatitis. Not all animals are allergic, but fleas will at least cause scratching or biting in all pets simply because they are annoying! Flea allergies however, cause the pests to be more than just an annoyance. Symptoms of flea allergy include hair loss, redness, and sometimes sores kown as “hot spots”.

If you suspect your pet has fleas but you haven’t actually seen any, look for the tell-tale black “specks” at the base of the hairs. Fleas particularly love the areas at the base of the tail, ears and hind legs (where they meet the belly). To determine if the specks are flea dirt (dried blood) and not just dirt, put some on a white paper or cloth and wet them. If they turn red, you’ve got fleas.

Some diseases cause symptoms of the skin and coat. Thyroid imbalances may cause dull, flaky or greasy coat and sometimes hair loss. Skin and ear infections are common with Cushing’s Disease.

There are some diseases specific to the skin. Mange is caused by a mite and causes lesions and hair loss, usually around the mouth and eyes. This most often clears up on its own, but some dogs and cats cannot rid themselves of the mites and have a more severe case. Ringworm is a highly contagious fungus affecting cats, dogs and people (especially children). It shows up as circular lesions that are raw, hairless and scaly. The disease spreads rapidly.

Boredom or anxiety can cause a dog to lick its paws repeatedly and constantly, resulting in “lick granulomas”. These are raised nodules, often rough and scaly. There is also a group of autoimmune diseases called Pemphigus which cause scaly skin, scabs and pustules. Some breeds are particularly susceptible to the disease.

Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner, well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy dog or cat. See her website for
http://www.pethealthresource.com

Article Source: http://www.totallyawesomearticles.co

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